Physicians recently discussed new advances in the understanding of how rosacea develops in the body, opening the way for potential improvements in its effective care, during the summer meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in New York.

Dr. David E. Cohen, professor of dermatology at New York University, outlined current knowledge of the disease process of rosacea, providing a map of the development of rosacea at the cellular level.

Sun exposure stands at the top of the list for rosacea triggers, and if you suffer from rosacea, you may unknowingly be overlooking one of the biggest culprits for exposure in your day-to-day activities: driving! Here are some tips to keep in mind.

• Stay calm. Stress is another top rosacea trigger, and during “road rage” your heart rate goes up, breathing accelerates, sweat production increases and your blood vessels dilate. Avoid a flare-up due to the stress of driving by practicing calming techniques.

Funny looks and comments can be difficult to deal with at any time, but handling them at work can be even worse. Yet according to a new survey by the NRS on the impact of rosacea's signs and symptoms in the workplace, that's the reality for most of the estimated 16 million Americans living with this facial skin disorder.

Although rosacea's connection to the cardiovascular system has been widely suggested ­– flushing and the potential development of visible blood vessels are two of the skin disorder's primary symptoms – recent studies point toward a potential broader connection between rosacea and cardiovascular disease.

The National Rosacea Society (NRS) announced it has awarded funding for three new studies, in addition to continuing support for two ongoing studies, as part of its research grants program to increase knowledge and understanding of the potential causes and other key aspects of rosacea that may lead to improvements in its treatment, prevention or potential cure.